A dinner party is one of the best ways to entertain friends and celebrate special occasions. However, before having guests over it’s important to make sure you have the right furniture needed to turn your dining room into a welcoming area that diners will love to spend time in. If your dining room is feeling a bit dated or you don't think you have all the pieces needed to host a great dinner party, don’t worry, a beautiful dining room can be achieved by investing in only a few pieces from our dining room furniture range. Dining Tables Choosing The Right Table If you’re decorating a dining room from scratch the first piece of furniture to invest in is a dining table. When buying a table always consider the overall design of your dining room before making a purchase. There are plenty of sizes, styles, and materials available, so it’s important to find an option that works with your day-to-day needs and not just for dinner parties. There are many popular dining table styles, however the most common styles are: Industrial: if you enjoy the look of wood and metal together, then an industrial table will be the best choice for you. Industrial tables are usually made with a metal base and a timber tabletop. Hamptons: typically associated with coastal homes, Hamptons dining tables are timeless and are usually either light oak or white. Modern: enjoy a contemporary look in your home with a modern dining table. Modern tables typically rely on straight lines and geometric shapes, you won’t see the ornate table legs associated with traditional style dining furniture. Modern dining tables also focus on contrasting textures, clean lines and neutral colours. Small vs Big Dining Table Your dining room table needs to be big enough to comfortably seat all the guests you want to invite and the width should be at least 90cm wide to allow ample space for place settings but still narrow enough to encourage great conversation across the table. Typically, for a rectangular table the average size needed to seat multiple guests is: Up to 4 people: 122cm long table Up to 6 people: 150-180cm long table Up to 8 people: 200-220cm long table Up to 10 people: 230-275cm long table If you know you want to entertain frequently but you don’t need a large dining table for the day to day, investing in an extendable table is the perfect solution. You can have plenty of space when you need it, but the table can be kept at its smallest size when you don’t. If your dining room is lacking on space, that is okay. Even some of the smallest tables can still seat several people if you place two people on the ends. The key to remember is just don’t invite more guests than you have room for, as there’s nothing worse than knocking elbows when you’re trying to eat! Dining Chairs Once you’ve purchased your new dining table, you now have to consider seating. When planning a dinner party it's a given that you’ll spend a while chatting at the table, so you need quality chairs that will be comfy for your guests. Upholstered dining chairs are a great choice for dinner parties and long evenings around the table. Featuring durable fabric, padded seating and stylish ribbed detailing, they’re designed to keep guests comfortable while adding a contemporary touch to the dining room. Neutral tones paired with sleek black metal legs make this style easy to pair with a wide range of dining tables and interiors. For a softer and more relaxed look, high-back upholstered dining chairs in light linen-style fabrics can bring warmth and elegance to any dining space. Combined with solid timber legs, this style works particularly well in Hamptons-inspired interiors while offering lasting comfort for entertaining and everyday meals alike. Can you Mix Dining Tables and Chairs? It is very common to purchase your table and chairs separately, rather than purchasing from a dining room set and while there are no rules for how to choose your chairs and table, there are some factors you should consider. Chair height: Choose dining chairs that can be easily pushed under the table to help maximise space and comfort. Armless dining chairs are a practical option, as they tuck neatly underneath while still offering a comfortable and supportive seat with upholstered padding and back support. Undertones: If your dining table is made from timber, mixing chair colours can still work beautifully when you match the undertones of the wood. Timber generally falls into warm, cool or neutral tones, and sticking within the same tone family helps create a cohesive look. Upholstered dining chairs with subtle warm-toned detailing can complement warm timber tables while adding contrast and visual interest. Texture: If you prefer to keep your colour palette simple, introducing different textures and materials is a great way to add depth to your dining room. Pairing upholstered or leather-look dining chairs with marble, timber or metal dining tables can create a modern layered look while also being practical for everyday use and entertaining. Style: Mixing furniture styles can feel bold, but many interior styles naturally work well together. Coastal-inspired dining chairs, for example, can pair beautifully with modern farmhouse dining tables thanks to their shared relaxed and airy aesthetic. Combining styles thoughtfully can help create a more personalised and inviting dining space. Colour: Choosing dining chairs in complementary shades is an easy way to create a balanced dining room. Light timber tables pair well with whitewashed or neutral-toned chairs, while darker tables can suit bold accent colours or black finishes. Chairs with woven textures or natural materials can also help tie together a mix of tones and finishes for a more relaxed look. If you’re unsure about mixing colours, styles or materials, a matching dining table and chair set is always a reliable option. Coordinated sets create a seamless and cohesive look, making it easy to achieve a stylish and well-balanced dining space with minimal effort. Storage Options Having good storage throughout your home is important and this is just as true for the dining room. You are sure to appreciate the ample storage provided by a buffet, also commonly known as a sideboard. Designed to provide plentiful storage, a buffet is the perfect place for your special occasion China, serving platters, and linens like napkins and placemats. The surface of the buffet can also be used to display decorations, such as candles, flowers and artwork or as an additional surface for serving food. Buffets have various configurations such as drawers and side-opening cupboards to easily fit a range of items. Some buffets may even feature a Hutch, which has a separate set of shelves on top of the buffet, which serves as more space for storage and displaying of items. Picking a Buffet Just like dining chairs, buffets can either match your dining table setting or introduce a complementary style for added character. Many dining room collections include a matching buffet, making it easy to create a cohesive and coordinated look throughout the space. For example, a Hamptons-inspired dining room pairs beautifully with a timber buffet featuring a white painted finish, natural timber accents and plenty of built-in storage. If your dining setting didn’t come with a matching buffet, you can still choose a design that complements your existing furniture and overall style. When selecting a buffet, there are a few important things to consider, including size, storage capacity and how it fits within your dining space. Size & Material: buffets come in a variety of sizes, so pick a length and height that fits in the room. Measure the walls, doorways, and other furniture in your dining room, and use that information to determine what size buffet would fit best. Buffets are usually made from wood, but often include accents or details of different materials like metal and glass. Choose a buffet made of a material that is both sturdy and visually appealing. Style: Consider the overall style of your buffet and how it works with the rest of your dining room furniture. Contemporary timber buffets in darker finishes can add depth and contrast to the space without overpowering the room. Choosing a design with clean lines and generous storage helps create a balance between style and practicality, making the buffet both functional and visually appealing. Boldness: One of the biggest decisions when choosing a buffet is whether you want it to blend into the room or stand out as a feature piece. Matching finishes and tones will create a more seamless look, while contrasting materials, textures or statement details can give the buffet stronger visual impact. Natural timber buffets with unique grain patterns, textured finishes or modern design features can add character to the dining room while still complementing surrounding furniture. These tips are just a starting point to guide you to best furnishing your dining room. Whether you just want a new statement buffet or you need a whole new dining room look, we can help customise your space. Shop at your local Betta Furniture Stockist or Online today. Want it now? We also have selected models Ready to Ship for fast delivery, so you can get ready to start sending out dinner invites straight away!
